Anthony Joshua gives emphatic verdict after dramatic stoppage of Rico Verhoeven and Oleksandr Usyk fight

Many had expected the Ukrainian to cruise past kickboxing superstar Verhoeven, who had entered the contest with just one previous professional boxing bout.

Instead, the Dutchman pushed one of boxing's all-time great heavyweights to the limit and came within touching distance of a monumental upset.

Remarkably, Verhoeven was ahead on one scorecard and level on the other two heading into the 12th and final round before the dramatic conclusion unfolded.

The controversy erupted late in the 11th after Usyk floored Verhoeven with a powerful left hand.

Although the Dutch fighter beat the count and appeared relatively stable, referee Mark Lycett stepped in moments later to stop the fight - despite many believing the bell had already sounded to end the round.

The decision sparked immediate outrage across the combat sports world.

Jake Paul, Francis Ngannou and Verhoeven himself all questioned the stoppage after the fight.

Now Joshua has joined the growing list of figures unhappy with the referee's intervention.

While leaving the arena, the former heavyweight champion was asked whether Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue.

"Yeah definitely," Joshua replied.

The Brit stopped short of saying who he felt was winning before the stoppage but admitted he had been hugely impressed by Verhoeven's performance.

"Good question. I don't know," Joshua said when asked who had been ahead on the scorecards.

"Good fight though. I knew he was a good fighter."

Verhoeven's display stunned many inside the arena.

The 37-year-old repeatedly troubled Usyk with his awkward movement, pressure and clean punching, even managing to visibly wobble the Ukrainian at one stage - something Joshua himself and Tyson Fury failed to achieve in their own fights with Usyk.

As the rounds wore on, the upset appeared increasingly possible.

Verhoeven backed Usyk onto the ropes several times and looked comfortable against a fighter widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet.

But the champion's experience ultimately proved decisive.

Usyk survived the pressure before landing the blows that led to the contentious stoppage late in round 11.

Verhoeven later confirmed his team had lodged an official protest over the referee's decision. The Dutchman insisted he was capable of continuing and suggested he had been denied the chance to finish the fight on his shield.